`Jungle` Residents Seek Homeless Aid From Legislature

May 31, 1986|By Rick Pierce, Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- Hopping freights, thumbing rides and donating blood to earn money, four men who were living in a makeshift camp outside of Pompano Beach arrived here Friday in a bid to draw attention to the plight of the homeless.

The four -- James Yohey and three known only by their street names, Fisherman John, Jack A. Diamonds and T.C. -- are on a cross-country trek to Bakersfield, Calif., from the Broward camp that nearby residents call the ``Jungle.``

Since leaving Pompano Beach May 22, they have been sleeping beneath viaducts and alongside railroad tracks, trying to avoid police and going through dumpsters behind grocery stores and restaurants for food.

``The food I`m eating now came out of a dumpster,`` Yohey said, holding up a Big Mac. ``You wouldn`t eat it. But it`s okay to me.``

The four admitted, however, that they did not try to arrange meetings with any state officials.

Dressed in old clothes, the four ate while sitting on the steps of the old Capitol and talking to reporters. They waved at schoolchildren and bureaucrats, who turned to stare at the sight.

``They want to throw dollars at the problem,`` said T.C., motioning toward the 22-story new Capitol. ``Why don`t we throw food at problems?``

Holding up a Big Mac, he added: ``I can get enough of these at 2 o`clock in the morning to feed 30 people.``

The attempted suicide of a drifter known only as Russell, who laid down on the railroad tracks in an act they call ``kissing the train,`` inspired the pilgrimage. The four said nine friends had committed suicide in the same manner over the last year and a half.

Following complaints from neighbors, most of those living in the wooded area have been forced to leave.

Authorities have been unable to confirm the suicides, although sheriff`s deputies helped save Russell`s life by dragging him off of the tracks. The man was taken to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Citing statistics showing that Florida ranks last among the states in spending for social services, the four said that food, housing, employment and mental health programs must be improved if government was going to properly aid the homeless.

``No one lobbies for us,`` Yohey said.

T.C. said hospices, similar to those frequented in Europe by students, are needed.

``We want a system of hospices set up,`` he said. ``But we don`t want Jesus jammed down our throat.``

But Yohey admitted that attempts to change him -- he has lived for years in vagrants` camps -- would never work.

``I believe myself unsalvageable,`` said Yohey, who has ``LOSE`` tattooed on his chest. ``I don`t think I can go back into society.``